Basic Realistic Requirements for a Computer

[Graymalkin]

I just posted a rather lengthy question in the Computer Recording category, and realized the Cakewalk Users catagory might possibly have been a better place to post.
If any kind Cakewalk users would take a moment to check out my Computer Recording post and give me your advice, I'd be very grateful!
I'm in serious need of advice in designing a DECENT, USABLE system without going bankrupt!
Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[DavidK]

Hi, I read the other posts in Computer talk.

I have Cakewalk pro 9 deluxe. The Deluxe, by the way,
is just some goofy videos and dumb sounds, I would
just get the regular version.

What you need depends on what you do. Is it vocal
and guitar or symphony Orch with 64 tracks?

The other forum suggested building your own. Great
idea, but I hope you know your stuff! I personally
could not do that.

My system is 566 Celeron, 128 ram. For me, Cakewalk
is very stable. I can get out about twenty tracks
without sweating. I dont tend to do much with
effects, that can really mess things up. I have
an outboard unit handle a lot of that.

I would recommend 256 ram, although 128 works fine
if you dont use so many effects, and something like
gigasampler wont work on 128. An extra, fast hard drive
would help too, but again, let me know what kind of stuff you want to do.

I believe you mentioned something about 3 grand.
IMHO, that is enough for the WHOLE studio, a very
nice project studio at that, including a small
mixer, decent mic, reverb unit, soundcard.

I record on Cakewalk every day, never had a major
problem so far. Cheers, David

 

[Graymalkin]

Thanks, David
My music is primarily acoustic, but I do have quite a few works with multi-part "orchestral" arrangements (mostly string sections).
Quite a bit of the "Musicians Toolbox" looks like stuff I'd never use. Possibly the effects, but I also prefer outboard, having used them in analog recording for so long.
Still debating the merits of Gigasampler.

 

[DavidK]

String Sections?? Cool. I am a pro violinist, and when
I do string sections I play all the parts myself.
Do you play strings?

 

[markert]

DavidK,

A professional violinist. I'm impressed. Makes all the rest of us garage wannabes look like a bunch of mooks.

Seriously, thanks for your post. I too have a celeron 566 and I have been hesitant to "go computer" since everything always says Pentium XXX required. What soundcard do you use, and does it have an breakout box. I need to get 24 tracks to justify buying the software/hardware to record on the computer ( I get 16 on the Korg D16 now), do you think thats possible with 256 meg and an ultraDMA/66 hard drive.

I was also wondering if I would be able to burn CDs to the CDR drive that came with my computer. I also have the external CDr that burns from my D16, but no SCSI card in my computer. Would it be worth it to get a SCSI card and use that burner instead.

Thanks

 

[DavidK]

Hi Markert,

I have a Darla 24 card, which has 2 inputs and 8
outputs. It doesnt have digital in, but I dont need
it. Breakout box yes, midi no.

I have Cakewalk Pro Audio 9. With the setup you
mentioned, you should be able to get 30 to 40
tracks I am guessing, depending on how long
your tune is, etc.

Sure you could burn CDs with your CD writer. I am not
sure what would work better, Internally or with the
Korg.

The main advantages for going computer are Midi,
Plugins and editing, but what you have looks pretty
cool too. Even with Cakewalk being pretty awesome,
I still miss the Days of Fostex four-track
cassettes and Tascam Porta-Studios. It was just so
cool to do FOUR tracks by yourself. Now I can
do 30 tracks and 50 Midi tracks, but its not as
fun, So cherish that Korg of yours,a cross between
the old days and now! David